John Coltrane was on the cusp of his post-bop, modal phase when he recorded this 1958 session, released in 1960. As NPR critic Ashley Kahn writes, "The title could not have been more accurate. By 1962, Coltrane’s leadership role was undeniable; he was a standard-bearer of musical commitment, and intense, bold exploration. As well, all four tunes on the album were truly ‘standards’: 32-bar tunes originally crafted for Broadway or Hollywood projects, adopted by jazz instrumentalists to interpret and explore…. He often favored melodies that had attained popularity during his teen years … all in a search to find new structures and fresh inspiration." The songs Coltrane chose are "Don't Take Your Love From Me," "I'll Get By (As Long as I Have You)," "Spring Is Here," and "Invitation."